Chris Hughton, the former Hammer and current manager of Ghana’s national team, has requested that he be left out of the squad to avoid the risk of injury before the Afcon tournament begins on January 13. This could leave the team short of options at the front and back, with Nayef Aguerd also likely to be unavailable. Meanwhile, Mohammed Kudus will miss the match against Brighton, which is a tough blow for the Hammers.
It’s frustrating that clubs can be influenced in this way, but a key source at the club has confirmed that it’s true. It’s possible that Aguerd’s recent unavailability is related to his preparations for Afcon, following a bout of illness that affected him and other squad members.
With Lucas Paqueta also set to miss the game due to a calf injury, the team will be without three key players as they aim for a second victory over a former challenging opponent.
Proposed Hammers line up: Areola, Coufal, Oggy, Zouma, Emerson; Alvarez, Soucek, Ward Prowse, Fornals, Cornet, Bowen.
